Oris Aquis Depth Gauge
The Oris Aquis Depth Gauge caused quite a stir as Angus Davies wore it in a social setting. The self-confessed watch fanatic provides a review of this stylish timepiece.
This detailed review of the Oris Aquis Depth Gauge includes live images, specification details and pricing.
Oris is a Swiss brand that I have never reviewed on ESCAPEMENT before. I don’t know why, as their proclamation to only produce “purely mechanical” watches, immediately resonates with me.
A few weeks ago, staring at an array of watches, I spotted a diver’s watch from Oris and was struck by its handsome lines and accessible pricing of £2100. My interest was piqued and I felt an overwhelming compunction to become intimately acquainted with the Oris Aquis Depth Gauge.
Fortunately, an opportunity recently arose for me to wear the Oris Aquis Depth Gauge for a few days. The experience proved enlightening.
I am often drawn to diver’s watches primarily for aesthetic reasons rather than any professional requirement to venture into deep waters. However, the robust construction of a diver’s watch is a beneficial quality most men value, myself included.
A specialist diving watch
Despite the unlikely prospect of wearing diving bottles on my back and venturing into deepwater any time soon, I applaud the integrity of a true diving watch. The Oris Aquis Depth Gauge is no impostor, but the genuine article.
The impressive specification includes water resistance of 500m, its ample dimensions ensure ease of read-off underwater and there is a unidirectional bezel marked with a minute scale.
An ingenious detail is a depth gauge employing a grooved channel located within the perimeter of the sapphire crystal above the dial. A small orifice below noon, allows water to enter the channel. As the wearer ventures ever deeper into water, a greater volume of water enters the channel.
At first the idea sounds alien, allowing water to enter the watch structure is a prospect which often results in expensive repairs. However, there is no need to worry, the brilliant minds at Oris have clearly done their homework. Drawing on the work of 17th century intellectual, Robert Boyle (1627 – 1691) and his work, Boyle’s Law, the area occupied by air within the channel reduces as pressure increases. The water entering the channel provides contrast against a yellow scale and indicates the depth in real-time.
Yellow scale showing an indicated depth of 5 metres
The sapphire crystal is extra thick, 50% greater than “an average watch top crystal”. A special gasket prevents water migrating from the channel into other areas of the timepiece. It is very clever and Oris has sought to protect this intellectual property by patenting the invention.
The caseback is stainless steel, marked with a conversion scale for converting metric measurements into imperial and vice-versa. It is screwed into position, protecting the movement from any water ingress.
Aesthetics which cause a stir
Many of my friends consider me to be obsessed by watches and words such as “geek”, “anorak” and “bore” have been used to describe my character. My passion for horology continues to cause titters of laughter at social gatherings.
Wearing the watch, I went about my daily business. It was with some surprise at the reaction of non-experts to the Oris Aquis Depth Gauge. Comments included, “That’s cool”, “I love that watch” and “That is the best watch I have ever seen you wear”. The latter remark was especially surprising as I have been known to wear watches costing many times the cost of the Oris. Here was a watch costing £2100 eliciting words of unrestrained praise and covetous intent.
This reaffirmed my belief that diver’s watches are selected for appearances. None of the aforementioned statements were made by individuals who would have any intention of getting their hair wet, save for a daily douse beneath the bathroom shower. However, they clearly saw much eye-appeal in the form of the Aquis Depth Gauge.
The Aquis Depth Gauge is certainly not diminutive, measuring 46mm in diameter. But, somehow it does not feel as large as you may suspect. I am undecided whether the matte finish to the ceramic bezel is partly responsible for the watch appearing smaller or whether it is solely the short and sharply tapering lugs. Nevertheless, one thing is certain, the watch is pleasant to wear.
My loan watch was sent with a rubber strap affixed. Oris customers are provided with both this strap, a steel bracelet and strap changing tool kit as standard. Sadly, I have not seen the bracelet, but can confirm the rubber strap looks first-rate.
The folding clasp has an an adjustable extension piece to allow the watch to be worn over a wetsuit.
The Oris 733 is based on the Sellita SW-200. The oscillating weight is red, a feature in common with all self-winding movements housed within Oris models.
Conclusion
I have enjoyed wearing the Oris Aquis Depth Gauge. It has not been subject to the harsh rigours of deep-sea life whilst in my temporary possession, but I see little reason to doubt its capacity to sustain tempestuous waters.
The rubber strap is highly wearable. It hugs the wrist with an agreeable fit but always feels secure. If I had one criticism, the highly polished part of the clasp is easily scratched and a satin brush may have proved more accomplished at hiding superficial marks.
The unsolicited positive reaction shown by several friends noticing the Oris on my wrist was something that initially caught me by surprise. Yet, on reflection, I should not be taken aback, it is a good-looking watch. It has a highly legible display and muscular lines providing an honest statement of intent.
Oris has produced a profoundly impressive diver’s watch with the Aquis Depth Gauge and, based on this experience, I doubt it will be long before I choose to evaluate another timepiece from the company’s collection.
Technical Specification
- Model: Oris Aquis Depth Gauge
- Ref: 01 733 7675 4154-Set
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 46.00mm; water resistant to 50 bar (500 metres); sapphire crystal to front and solid screwed down caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; central seconds; date.
- Movement: Oris 733 (base SW 200-1), self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 26 jewels; power reserve 38 hours
- Bracelet / Strap: Stainless steel metal bracelet with folding clasp and extension. Also supplied with additional rubber strap and strap changing tools.
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